ISTANBUL
Turkey's EU Minister and Chief Negotiator Egemen Bagis called on France to remove political blocks imposed by former President Nicolas Sarkozy, who opposed the entrance of Ankara in the union.
Upon returning from Lithuania, Bagis met with France President Francois Hollande's special envoy Thierry Repentin in Istanbul to discuss Turkey's long-stalled EU membership talks and bilateral relations on Thursday evening, according to officials.
Bagis said Turkey is pleased with Hollande's step to remove opposition on 22nd chapter - regional policy and coordination- in membership talks but stated it is not sufficient.
Bagis urged Paris to pull aside its opposition on remaining chapters in order to gather momentum in bilateral relations and Turkey's EU membership.
Socialist President Hollande, in contrast to Sarkozy, is not against Turkey's membership into European Union and declared his intention to open "a white page" with Ankara. Brussels opened negotiation talks last July on the 22nd chapter after Paris removed its objection. However, France is still blocking four chapters, Cyprus another six, and the EU has ruled that eight cannot be opened because of Turkish policies regarding Cyprus.
In response, French Minister of EU Affairs Repentin told Hollande's intention to pay a visit to Turkey in near future and stated their support on Turkey's EU membership. He stated France's intention to increase ties between countries. French minister noted Bagis' call for removal on chapters and said will deliver the message. Bagis and Repentin also discussed latest developments in Syria and Egypt and visa exemption process.
Turkey began EU accession negotiations in 2005.
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